The Journal
The latest from The Pro Bono Path
July 24, 2026
Entry No. 7
Building Something That Lasts
Last month, I wrote about patience, about volunteering to assist with free financial planning, about being ghosted and being impatient. The opportunities would come, I hoped, just not overnight. As an update, the patience paid off, and the pro bono program is starting to take real shape. By the end of this month, I’ll have...
June 23, 2026
Entry No. 6
I Tried To Give Away Free Financial Planning. Here’s What Happened.
How hard could it be to give away free financial planning? Harder than I expected. I’ll be honest. When I started reaching out to community-based organizations earlier this month, I expected momentum, excitement and to be in high demand. I’ve spent forty years in this industry. I understand financial planning. I genuinely want to help....
June 2, 2026
Entry No. 5
Even at 64, I Want to Be Them When I Grow Up
I’ve been making calls I wouldn’t have made six months ago, learning what it actually means to become a pro bono financial volunteer. That was one of the things I discussed in my last post (#4). Reaching out cold, asking for help, admitting you’re figuring something out… It’s the work that needs to be done. And...
May 19, 2026
Entry No. 4
The Conversations I Didn’t Expect
When I started writing about becoming a pro bono planner, I thought maybe a few people would read the first few posts. I didn’t expect thousands of impressions, more than a hundred reactions, dozens of comments, texts, and DMs. No doubt, the largest response I’ve ever gotten to anything I’ve ever posted on LinkedIn. What...
April 13, 2026
Entry No. 3
Saying It Out Loud: And What About Diversified?
In my last post, I explored the idea behind pro bono financial advice and how that idea of a “Second Mountain” has started to resonate with me in a way it probably wouldn’t have a few years ago. At some point, though, those thoughts have to move beyond reflection. You can only carry an idea...
April 6, 2026
Entry No. 2
Digging Deeper: Why Pro Bono Financial Planning Is My Next Mountain
The response to my first post about pro bono financial planning in this new direction was overwhelming to say the least. I heard from many friends and colleagues and believe me, I appreciate the support. More than one of you asked me to dig in deeper on “the why” before I spend time on the...
March 30, 2026
Entry No. 1
Why I Earned My CFP® After 40 Years And What Comes Next
After more than 40 years in financial services, I sat down and did the work. Not because I had to. Because I needed to prove to myself I was serious about where I want to go next. Last month, I passed the CFP® exam. I took the CFP test on March 23rd, not because I had to,...